Aryzta to shut two German bakeries, cutting about 250 jobs

Swiss bakery conglomerate Aryzta announced that it will close its two German manufacturing sites, located in Nordhausen, Thuringia, and Gerolzhofen, Bavaria. The restructuring will result in the loss of approximately 250 jobs, while the two plants currently employ around 440 workers. Aryzta says the decision reflects a slowdown in German demand and a strategy to focus on more profitable product lines.

Employees may have the option to relocate to the Eisleben plant in Saxony-Anhalt, where the company intends to centralise a larger share of its German output during 2026 and 2027. The plan has drawn sharp criticism from the NGG union and the Left party in Thuringia, who accuse the firm of prioritising profits over workers. Aryzta originated from the Swiss company Hiestand, known for its frozen croissants, and merged with Ireland's IAWS Group in 2008.